Beaten City end up with nine men
FT: Maribor 1-1 Chelsea
Hazard misses penalty for Blues
Messi equals Raul's CL scoring record
Image source, Getty ImagesWho said the Champions League group stages are predictable and repetitive?
On this very night 12 months ago, Manchester City beat CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, at the Etihad.
Alvaro Negredo bagged a hat-trick in an easy 5-2 win. The same scoreline tonight would go down very nicely with the natives...
Matthew Smith:, external Think all City need is some decent results against Europe's finest, got the quality just need belief!
Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Etihad Stadium
Image source, PA"Manchester City have put on a spectacular firework display in City Square outside the Etihad - no expense spared as the flares light up the sky accompanied by plenty of noise and pyrotechnics. Certainly caught the attention of the City and CSKA Moscow's players as they warm up."
Is it a Catch-22 situation for Manchester City in Europe though? They can't gain the confidence/arrogance needed to compete with the best until they win some big games - but they won't win those games until they have the confidence/arrogance required?
A managerial headache if ever there was one. Mind you, Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund have managed it in recent years.
Image source, Getty ImagesJames in Bath: Man City just aren't a Champions League club. Compare them to Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea who have been playing in Europe since the 1990s, they just don't have the mentality.
Image source, Getty ImagesBBC Sport's Owen Phillips at the City Ground: "Nottingham Forest are without a win in nine games - eight of those in the league - and the increasingly fragile confidence of the early-season Championship pacesetters took a big hit in the Saturday's 3-0 defeat against Huddersfield Town.
"But life under the guidance of Reds legend Stuart Pearce started so encouragingly and the Pearce factor is still a source of great pride and hope to supporters who have had a miserable few years.
"Despite the troubles, they are still handily placed and - with 22 points - are level with today's visitors Brentford, who are having a splendid first season back in England's second tier since the 1992-93 campaign. The Bees are unpredictable away from home, losing three of their last four on their travels, but their 2-1 win over high-flying Derby County last time out means their own confidence should be soaring."
Is Roma boss Rudi Garcia reading from the same coaching manual as Brendan Rodgers? After Liverpool boss Rodgers opted to start without influential captain Steven Gerrard against Real Madrid on Tuesday, Garcia has opted to start with World Cup winner Francesco Totti, Miralem Pjanic and Gervinho, who has three Champions League goals this term, on the bench away to Bayern Munich.
There is one slight difference. Gerrard was rested ahead of a big game with Chelsea on Saturday. Roma's next game? At home to Torino on Sunday.
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Wolves midfielder Jamie O'Hara has joined Blackpool on a short-term deal, but he will not be eligible for the Seasiders' game with Fulham tonight.
The 28-year-old has been without a club since he left Molineux in August, and it is a year to the day since he last played in a senior game.
"I'm desperate to get back on the football pitch," O'Hara told the Blackpool club website., external
Tom in Manchester: City have gotten a fair share of refs decisions go wrongly against them. More than most teams experience in double the amount of years! But that still isn't an excuse. It's been a combination of inexperience and naivety. They in my eyes always seem as though they don't believe in themselves, present themselves like they don't believe they deserve to be there. Need a bit more arrogance!
Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Etihad Stadium
"Winter has certainly descended on Etihad Stadium as Manchester City attempt to keep their Champions League hopes alive on a cold and misty night.
"City felt hard done by when they conceded a two-goal lead to CSKA behind closed doors in Moscow - Manuel Pellegrini's side simply cannot contemplate anything similar tonight."
Image source, Getty ImagesIs tonight the night that Luis Suarez breaks his Barcelona duck?
Former Ajax midfielder Arnold Muhren told BBC World Service football reporter Steve Crossman: "I don't think you can replace a player like Suarez. When he was here we knew he had qualities but he also had some nasty things on the pitch. He did it again at the World Cup when he bit the Italian player, but hopefully he will learn from that. Barcelona have a very, very good player on their hands."
On Ajax's chances tonight: "Ajax will have to play at their best to get a result. They have about a 20-30% chance of winning."
BBC Radio 5 live
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini on BBC Radio 5 live: "I think it's a very important game, we must win this game as we have only two more games to play after tonight.
"It's very important to have some more points."
Andrew Clark:, external To do well in the CL Man City need time. It takes a few goes to get the knack. Also the reform of the seeding system may help!
Agubata Odinaka:, external Man City need champions league know-how, a bit of luck and a prayer to make it in the Champions League.
Too predictable/ Not adaptable enough? Is that part of Manchester City's problem in Europe?
Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium
"Manuel Pellegrini seems very reluctant to change his style of play in Europe.
"He keeps saying when his team is playing well, they play in a certain way and style. But, when things aren't going so well, you have to be prepared to change things.
"If City don't win here tonight, he will have some serious questions to answer."
Image source, ReutersTwo-nil up at half-time and cruising, but Manchester City went on to make a mess of their midweek trip to Moscow and leave with just a point.
Failure to win again tonight and the Champions League circus may be at an end for City.
Image source, EPAEden Hazard was brilliant, Didier Drogba was back and Loic Remy twanged his groin.
Chelsea demolished Maribor 6-0 last month, the proverbial walk in the park. Same again?
Image source, Getty ImagesSo, after European champions Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund booked their place in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday, who will be joining them in the knockout stages?
The atmosphere is building in Munich where Bayern can join them with a win over Roma in Germany. That's the same Roma who lost 7-1 at home to Bayern in Italy on 21 October. Barcelona, despite back-to-back defeats in La Liga, could also advance if they win in Amsterdam against Ajax, who need at least a point to retain any real hope of qualifying and could be eliminated if they lose.
Paris St-Germain could also make it through in Group F if they defeat APOEL in Paris, while Porto, who are away at Athletic Bilbao, can also qualify with a victory.
Image source, Getty ImagesLooks like something has to give tonight.
It is high time Manchester City ended their Champions League woes if they are to take their place among Europe's elite. Winless from three Group E matches hasn't been the best of starts but victory tonight could be the kick start they need.